A treatise on the management of peach and nectarine trees: Either in Forcing-houses, Or on Hot ...

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600030068W

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gtogftecfa^

TREATISE

O N

FORCING FRUIT-TREES.

^^^^Sp9sqf!^^k^S^^iig^^^::^s^^^p^^pi5pss^^

[Price THftEB Shillings J

.%.\ lQl?l ^- \\v> ^^

■'V" '

f !

TREATISE

ON THE MA!S[AGEMENT OF

PEACH AND NECTARINE

TREES;

EITHER IN

FORCING-HOUSES,

OK O N

HOT AND COMMON WALLS.

CONTAINIKG

An EfFeftual and Eafy Method of preventing
them from being infefled with any Species

of INSECTS.

ALSO

DiKBCTiONS for CoDftru£kiDg proper Forcing-
Houses and Hot-Walls*

B Y

THOMAS KYLE,

Gardener to the Honouraele Baron Steuart

of moredun.

EDINBURGH:
Printed for the A u t h o r.

MDCGLXXXlIf.

€mm in &mu>nm ^nii

A'\

i li FEB. 133 \ I

TO THE HONOURABLE

DAVID STEUART-MONCREIFFE

of MoREDUN^ Efq;

ONE OF THE BARONS OF HIS MAJESTY'S
EXCHEQUER IN SCOTLAND.

SIR,

Sensible that any new difcovery
in the fcience of Gardening has been
greatly promoted here by your know-
ledge, and chat your liberality in
every point has much encouraged me
in purfuing the various branches of

my

^ 1)]£DICATI0R

my bufinefs in your fervice ; with the.
more confidence I humbly beg leave
to dedicate the following Treatife on
the forcing of Peaches, &c. to you,
I am, with the utmoft refpeft and
gratitude.

S I R,

Your dutiful Servant,

THOMAS KYLE4

REDUK, 1

'' 1753- 3

MOREDUK,

Nov.

99

CONTENT S.

Chap. I. On the conJlruElion of a for^
cing-houfe for early Peaches and Nec"
tarines. 9

Chap. IL On the management of early
forced Peach and Ne3arine trees ^ &fr.

Chap. III. On keeping the Peach and
NeBarine trees free of all infers ^ that
they are liable to be infe£ledwith. 56

Chap. IV. On a forcing^hotfe nvitb
' th^ flues all in the back-^wall^ and the

ma*

8 CONTENTS.

management of late Peaches and Nec^-.
taiines. 66

Chap. V. On the conjlruclion of Hot--
ivallsy and the management of the trees
'Without glafs. y6

Chap* VL On forcing Peaches ^ Necia-^
rinesy ^x. ivithout flues in the backy
qnd keeping thofe on common walls free
ofinfcEis^ ga

Chap, VII, On Tines. 95

K

T R E A T 1 S.E

O N

1

Forcing Peaches, ^^.

■<-l^^Ma^^— M^l^— *——*—— i»

C H A P. L

On the Ccmfttuflion of a Forctng-^Houfe
for early Peaches and NeRarines^

A Forcing Houfe or Frame for
Peaches, Nedlarines, &c. (if in-
tended to have ripe fruit fo early as

B the

[ to ]

the firft of May); fliould be forty-*
five feet in length to one fire ; i. e. a
forciflg-htJufc ninety feet long ought
to have two furnaces placed behind
the middle of the back-wall, three
feet apart from one another, and co-
vered with one ihade. This back-
wall fhould be eleven feet fix inches
high, and two feet feven inches thick^
including eight inches and an half
for the width of the flues.

• * j» •

The breadth of this forcing-houfe
fhould be i^yeti feeti between the back
and front wall ; which ought to be
bfte fodt two ittish** ill J^eight aboye
tht btordft- iflfide^ -

The

t n J

. Tbb flues oiigiit to be ccmftnidltedi
in the followjng manncr^^^-^^They
fhoald be brqught ftntighc from the
fiirnaces, acnzfs and bdow the ibr&ce
of the border, to within four inchei
of the front- wall ; when they mud be
raifed above it» and built oa the fur-
face, leaving a fpacc of four inchei»
between them and the fronts walK

These front -flues ihould be
brought into the back«^wall, by crof-
fing the border at each end of the fbr-
cing-^houfe, and run twice along it :
the firft flue in the back ihould be
three feet deep, eight inches and an
half wide^ and two feet and an half
above the border : the fecond or up-

B 2 per-

[ la ]

permoft two feet and an half deep,
the fame in width with the bottom one.
Between thefc two flues, there ought
to be three courfes of bricks befides
the covers.

The flues along the front fliould
not be conftrudled before the other
parts of the building are flniflied, and
the whole done to the faflies putting
on : if they are built fooner, lay
boards along them, to prevent the coi-
vers being broke by the carpenters
when eredling the wood- work. They
fhould be conftrudled in the follow-
ing manner—Where they crofs the
border from the furnaces, let them
be fo low, as, when covered fix inches

thick,

[ ,13 I

thick, the tops of them may be na
higher than the furface of the earth ;
without this thick covering, the heat
would arife too ftrong in that part,
when brilk fires are ufed. It is un-
neceflary to have the earth on which
thefe light buildings are placed, made
more folid than by a man treading it
once over ; which done, and the fur-
face made fmooth, lay the bottom of
thefe flues entirely upon the top of
the border, with thin flag-ftones, or
pavement bricks, one foot four inches
in length, which will make their foun-
dations of a proper breadth, viz. fe^
ven inches for flue, and nine for the
brick work. They fliould be builtl
with (lock-bricks; if not, well fliaped

com-

t H 1

common ones* Four courfes of them
laid in bed, will make the flues about
eleven inches deep, which is fufficienc^
They ought to be covered with pave*
ment bricks one foot four inches in
length : Thefe covers fliould not ex*
ceed two inches in thickneis, and not
be lefs than one inch and three
fourths* Neither front nor back flues
ought to be plaftered.

Of late years, it has been recom-
mended as a great improvement, to
have the furnaces placed in front of
all forcing-houfes ; which is now a
good deal in pradlice« A peach'^hpufe
k thirteen feet wide, the fame in height,
and an hundred feet long, would re~

quire

C ts ]

quire to have furoaces lx)th in baci:
and front, with a flue to run along
the middle of it : but in one feven^ or
even if it was nine feet broad^ it h
more proper to place the furnaces be-
hind as dire<^ed ; which is far morfe
convenient^ and anfwers the fame
purpofe ; the walk in front alfo being
sJl of a^picce, will be more agreeable
to the eye.

Tub wood-work of this forcing*-
houfe fliould be thus bonftrudled-^
Upon the front- wall place three feet
four inches in height of upright fafh-
es, including the top and bottontbeanl
in front. The upright and flope
faflies Ihould be three feet two inches

broad :

.^l^roid :* the litter in one length with*
<)ut roppp c. and pulley Sj Ijrut fo as
one. perfon can move them Up aitii •
down with eafc from the outfide*
JThe upright ones itiay be. fi^ed with
three . fmall • hooks withinfide ; but
lUQt made ia the miethod of Aiding
paft brie Another^ for the purpofe of

«

giving air : : In a forcing- houfe of the
breadth mentioned, viz. feven feet, or
even if it was two or three feet wider,
the top i^ the moft proper part for
the admiflion of air. /

If the houfe is ninety feet ih
length, it flxould be divided acrbfs the
middle by a faflji-door and partition \
that 6n€i part may bci forced fome

time

[ 17 ]

w

time bcfox^e the othor* in order ta.con-
tinue the fruit longer,

■ • • • • • • . »■ ■ . . . , ,

. The trellis for training the trees
upon, fhould be made in the follow-
ing manner^ r-Fix a bfar of wood

one inch and a half thick, and three
inches broad,:. to ;the back. w^Hf. hori-
zontally, and eight inches above the
furface of the border: about five feet
above this fix a horizontal bar to the
folid biftildip® b^weieti |he two flues ;
this ought to be two inches broad,
the fame in thicknefs with the bottom
one. The beam of wood on the top
of the wall to which the rafters are

r *

fixed,' fliould proje(5l over the face of it
about one inch : to which beam and

. C the

[ i8 ]

the two horizontal bars, (their nar-
row fides next the wall), fix eredt
bars, one inch broad and half an inch
thick ; placing their broad fides next
to the horizontal ones, and fdur inches
and an half feparate. This trellis is
is more fuitable for training the trees
upon, than the method commonly
pradlifed of having the fmall bars
placed horizontally.

CHAP*

I 19 ]

CHAP. II.

On the Management of early forced
Peach and Nectarine Trees ^ ^c.

'TpHE border for the trees fhould
be made of pretty ftrong freih
loam, taken from rich old pafture*
ground, fix or feven months before it
is brought into the forcing-houfe, that
the turf may be rotten. To each cart-
load of the above, add three whcel-
barrowfuls of good old hot- bed dung*
The whole ought to be well mixed, by
turning and throwing it in heaps*

C 2 Eighteeu

I ao ]

JEightcen or twenty inches will be a
fufficient depth for the border.

In order to have a pretty good crop
of peaches and nedlarines the firft
year of forcing, plant three trees in
one divifion of the houfe that have
produced fruit for a few years, and
of the kinds that are known to be
good, whofe branches are extended
ten or twelve feet, not above eight or
nine years old, and free of canker and
mildew ) fuch trees can only be re-
moved a Ihort diftance with fafcty :
if they are in the fame garden ia
which they arp to be forced, fo much
the betten They muft be prepared

for

[ 21 i

for the forcing-houfe in the follow^
ing manner.

About a twelvemonth before it is
intejided to remove them, a. e. in No-
vember or December, dig a femicir-
cular trench about three feet from
each of their ftems ; make it about
two feet broad, that there may be
room to get below the root6 that ex-
tend to it ; and make the ends of them
fmooth with a knife after they are cut
by the ipade.

If the ground is not mellow and
rich, with an inftrument that will not
hurt the roots, clear away fo much
of the earth as to leave three or four

inches

C 22 ]

1

inches df theeiids of them^ and fill the
trench immediately with frefli mould*
This prepares the trees for removal
with fafety; as many fmall fibres
will be prodvced from the end$ of
the roots that were cut, which will
be of great fervice to the trees when
planted. If they were not pruned
before, do it now in the following
manner: If they are rather luxuriant
than othcrwife, thin the wood fo, as
when, it is nailed to the wall, the
flioots may be about nine inches fe-
parate; if they are middling ,as to
(Irength, let the flioots be placed
about ten or eleven inches feparate :
Ihorten none of them at this time ;
only thin them as direded, and in

fuch

[ 23 ]

fuch a way that the trees may pro-
duce a regular fupply of bearibg
wood.

In the month of February or March
following, (according to the forward-
nefs or latenefs of the trees beginning
to pufti), give them their fpring pru-
ning, by fliortening the flioots. Cut
always at a bold wood bud, which
is ea£ly known by the time the petals
(commonly called fionver-Ua^ves) be-
gin to appear ; this beii^g the moft
proper feafbn for performing liich
pruning of peach and nedlarine trees.

From fuch of laft year's fhoots as
arc pretty ftrong, cut o£F about one

third,

[ 24 ]

third, and from weaker ones about
the half of their length.

From weak Ihoots of laft year, fuf-
fer only one to be produced; and
from others no more than two. Rub
off* all others before they have time to
expand their leaves.

Regard muft be paid to have the
trees properly furnifhed with bearing
wood, ' and only to fuffer a few fruit
to be produced this feafon.

It will probably happen that they
will produce fruitful fpurs, let them
remain till the following ipring-
pruning.

These

These trees miifl be often looked
over, and but a very few more Ihoots
allowed to be produced than what
Ihould be left for the firft year of
forcing.

Where two Thoots are left on one

of laft year's, let the loweft be as far
from the leading one as can be got
pretty ftrong. Train the young
wood to the wall in regular order as
it advances.

The middle of November is a pro-
per time to bring thefe trees ipto the
forcing-houfe ; but before they are
taken up, let the pits in'it be ready for
their reception. If the bottom is clay,

D there

I 26 ]

there muftbe flag-ftones about a yard
fquare laid below every tree, to pre-
vent the roots going deeper than
the earth prepared for them : if they
"were to get lower, the trees would
canker ; like wife the fruit would not
be fo well flavoured. But whatever
the bottom is, it is a good method to
lay flags ; or, if thefe cannot be procu-
red conveniently, flates or tiles, with
their edges laid over one another,
will anfwer the fame purpofe ; as the
beft flavoured fruit are produced
from trees whofe roots are near the
furface.

Avoid taking them up in fun-
ihine and wind, as the young fibres

would

[ 27 J

would fuffer if a fliort time expofed
thereto.

In removing thcfe trees, dig a fc*-
micircular trench about a foot farther
from them than where the roots
were cut at, and clear the earth away
fo as to get under them all: trees
of the fize mentioned cannot be moved
with balls of earth ; but it is neceffary
to have them taken up with the whole
of their roots as entire as poffiblc.
From thofe that were cut the prece-
ding year many fmall fibres will be
produced ; fpread theic carefully in
the pit wl^en planting*

IPjuANT them rather Ihallow than

D 2 other-

[ 28 ]

otherwife, and immediately give them
a good watering with the rofe on the
pan : this will fettle the earth among
the roots.

Lay boards to (land on, that the
earth may not be trode ; and tie the
trees to the trellis foon after they
are planted, to prevent the flioots be-
ing broke by the wind, which fhoots
fliould be placed fix or feven inches
feparatc.

If there is a little wood to fpare (as
moft likely there will), cut out the
weakeil flioots, and fuch as are only
furniflied with finglebuds, (/. ^.flower-
buds without leaf or wood ones at

their

[ 29 ]

their foot-ftalks), as the fruit of fuch
ihoots are mod liable to drop before
they come to maturity.

If fuch trees as the three mention-
ed for producing fruit the firft year of
forcing, cannot be procured conve-
niently for the other divifion of the
houfe, plant five young, flrong, train-
ed trees, about three or four years
old from the bud, and free of mildew
or canker.

Plant and water them as the
others : which done, cut out the weak-
eft flioots, and tie the others to the
trellis : if they are vigorous, place
them about eight or nine inches fepa-

rate;

1

[ 30 ]

rate ; if middling as to ftrength, about
ten. The fecond and fourth tree
muft be taken away when there is not
room to continue them longer : be-
fore that time they will have produced
fruit much above their value when
planted.

When the fhoots are all tied to the
trellis, take away the boards, and dig
the border from end to end : leave it
rough and open till the falhes are put
on. Care muft be taken not to touch
the roots with the fpade at this time,
as it would do more hurt to the trees
when new planted, than after they
have been a year or two eilabliOied.

Iif

[ 3« ]

In the laft week of January make
the border level and fmooth in both
divifions. Lay a wooden walk the
whole length, fixteen inches broad,
one foot and an half from the back
wall, and in fuch lengths as can be
moved conveniently, made of deals five
inches broad and two inches thick,
leaving about half an inch of an open-
ing between them, that air and moifturc
may not be too much excluded from
the earth below the walk. There
fhould be two bricks laid acrofs and
below it, about five feet diftant, to
keep it jufi: clear of the eartlu

At fame time, put the fafhes on

both

[ 3^ 1

both divifions, and give air in fun-
fliine weather.

In the firft week of February apply
the fire-heat to the divifion that is
planted with trees prepared for pro-
ducing fruit the firft year of forcing ;
and about eighteen days after, to the
other.

From the time the forcing is begun,
till the fruit are about the fize of peafe,
keep the mercury in Farenheit's ther-
mometer about the point ^^"^ with
fire-heat. From the time that the fruit
are of the fize mentioned, increafe it
by degrees to 60 ** , and keep it as near
to that point as can be done. With

fun-

r n 1

l\ini-heat in winter to the middle of
February, keep it about 60*"; increafe
it gradually to 70** : in fummer it ought
not to exceed 80**, and but feldom
fbould get to that height.

The proper time to fhorten the
flioots is when the petals begin to ap-
pear. Gut always at a bold wood-bud>
(which by this time is eafily known,)
taking away about one third of the
Jength of laft year's fhoots in general,
in the firft year of forcing.

If there are any that have no wood
or leading bud but the one at the end
of the flioot, fuch ought not to be
Shortened, otherwife the fruit on

E them

[ 34 ]

them would be loft ; if they fhould
remain and ripen, they would have
no flavour : but filch flioots as thefe
that are fliortened, commonly die be-
fore the fruit are ripe ; fo if there are
any to fpare, fuch Ihould be cut out.

If plenty of bloflbm is appearing,
leave only a few of the fpurs that
were produced laft feafon.

If it was favourable, with a fine
autumn, and the trees brought from
a warm fituation, the wood will be
ripened, and the bloflbms ftrong.
From fuch trees a good crdj) will bq
produced if they are managed aq-

gording

[ 35 1

cording to the preceding and follow-
ing direiSlions.

I . ....

From the ftrongeft laft year's fhoots^

fuflPer only two to be produced j from .

others, only one j all others fhould be

rubbed off as they appear: only fuch

as are produced at the foot-flalks

of the fruit fhould remain till they

have got fix or feven leaves; then

pinch their tops, by taking off fp muck

as to leave four or five ; as they pufh

anew, cut the young part off at the

fame place.

•*
When any of the fhopts are too

vigorous, (/. e. the fame year's wood

pufliing out flioots), take off thofe

E 2 that

t 36 ]

tkat are not properly placed foi* train-*
ing to the trellis, flop the ftrong lead-
ing fhoot^ and train two or more of
the fide ones to it according to their
ftrength; andthe following feafbn they
will bear fruit, whereas the one they
iare produced from would have none*

Train the young fhoots that aftf
to temain, in regular order to the
trellis as they advance.

When the fruit are about the fize
of horfe-beans, begin to thin them
where they are too thick ; but let this
be done fpaf ingly at firft : many
come off of themlel ves before they ar-
rive at that fize, and part will drop

-while

t 37 1

wliile llonitig, and have been about
three, weeks at a flop in fwelling.
The fii-ft year of forcing, there may be
left about a dozen to the fquare yard
on the trees. Every year after the
firft as follows : on a vigorous tree,
eighteen or twenty at moft to the
fquare yard ; on trees that are
middling ftrong, fourteen or fixteen
at moft ; and on weaker trees in pro-
portion.

But it is neceffary to obferve, that
trees which have been forced fome
years, will produce their flowers in
fuch abundance, as to have fix or fe-
ven in a clutter : when that is the
cafe, cut the weakeft fruit (when fet)

through

[ ^8 ]

through the middle with a pair of
narrow-pointed fciflars ; the rei;nain-
ing part willfoon decay; and by this
method of thinning them, the foot-
ftalks of thofe that are left: will not be
wounded.

The peach and nedlarine are of
the clafs ^ Icpfandria, and the order
Monogynia, (which contains moft of
the eatable fruits) ; the flowers are
hermaphrodite, with about twenty
ftamina or male parts,' and* one piftil-
lum or female organ. It ibmetimes
happens, ' but very rarely, that there
are two female organs in one flower :
when that is the cafe, the peach or

nee-

V--

[ 39 ]

nedlariae has two ftones^ and looks like

two grown together.

«

When too great a number of fruit
is left on the trees to ripen, they will'
be fmall, and not fo well flavoured :
the trees alfo will not have. fufEcient
ftrength for producing a good crop
next feafon.

When the fruit are near about
ripe, cut off fuch leaves (allowing a
little of their foot-ftalk to remain) as
entirely exclude any of them from the
fun ; but no more than what is ne-
ceflary for a fmall part of the fruit to
receive the rays fome time of the day :
this will caufe them to be more beau-
tiful.

I 40 1

tiful, and rather adds to their flavour :
if many of the leaves were taken off,
it would hurt both the trees and
fniit.

: When they begin to ripen, gather
a quantity of clean mofs, (which in
moft places is not difficult to come atj^
being too common), and fpread it be-
low the trees two or three inches
thick, and eighteen iachies broad :
this will prevent any of the ripe fruit
that drop from being bruifed.

After the crop is all gathered, let
the trees receive the flio^yers that may
fall by pulling down the faflies; fliufe
^ejn clofe in the eveoing, and make

[ 41 ]

a little fire if the weather is cold and
dark, till the trees have finifhed their
growth.

When the leaves are decaying, go
over them lightly with a befbm at
difierent times, in order to bring off
fuch of them as part eafily froni the
wood, that the fun and air may more
freely get to the Ihoots ; as air, heat,
and moifture, prepare and ripen them
for the following feafbn.

If the wood is not ripened before
it is expofed to the inclemency of the
weather, there vrill be but a poor crop
the following year: although there
may be a good deal of bloflbm, the

F parts

[ 4a ]

parts of frudification will be fb weakf
as tQ die away ia general wit}iout
producing fruit.

If the bottom of the border is of a
cold clayey nature, the trees will be a
confiderable time longer in ripening
their wood^ than if it was fand or

gravel.

However, it mnfi be obferved not
to force them into flower in the au-n
tumn. I have known flowers, and
fbme fruit ^bout the fize of a fil-
bert-nuty produced early in Sep?
tember, by keeping up too flrong a
heat to ripen the wood : when that ia

the

[ 43 ]

tbe cafe, the xtees receive hint, amd
will not bear a good regular crop the
following year.

WkEN tbe leaTes arc all or moftly
Atcfpt from the trees^ take off the
flowing fafhes^ dnd lay tfaim away^
tkat tbe trees «hA border may be ex-*
f>ofed to the weatker^

l^QW tA tbe proper time to give the
treei their atitumfl prtrfnng, by cut-'
iitig o«t the weyJceft Ibdots^ ntd any
old brifticheis that k n found irecef^
iaty CO c&ktf aWay: tie the fiioots m
^ tr^^ froaS fit to dgbc iflc&e% fe-i
fit»e, itiiSi at thdt ^(tarite every
year after the firfl of forcing , avd

F 2 Ihorten

[ 44 ]

ihorten them when the petals begia
to appear.

It frequently happens, that fome
forced trees fhoot too luxuriantly for

the produftion of fruit. In order to

«

bring fuch trees to a bearing (late, cut
out a few of the flrongeft fhoots,
when the treees have finifhed their
growth : at fame time, cut feveral or
moft of their large roots, to within
three feet of the trees, if the branches
are extended ten or twelve feet ; and
according as they are larger or fmallef ,
cut the roots farther from, or nearer
their ftems: and the following year
they will be well furnilhed with

fruitful woo4*

When

[ 45 ]

When the trees have got their au-
tumn drefling, clear the border of the
kaves, &c. and lay away the wooden
walks.

This is a fmtable time to clean
the flues. If coals are ufed, the flues
of this early forced-houfe muft be
cleanfed once in the year, the front
one in particular: if wood is ufed,
they will not need cleaning above
once in three or four years : however,
all flues ought to be cleaned before
they appear to have much occaflon for
it; for the cleaner they are, they re-
quire the lefs fire^

When the flues are cleaned, dig

the

»^

C 46 ]

the border without difturbing the
roots of the ireei^, leave it ttm^ ami
openy that the frofli may have thd
more effedl on the foil.

Those trees tiv'Ii^b have beoi one
yeai^ forced ilnd prepatud as dkredled^
win be iii ai giQf6d condition for foi^-^^
^iflg earl;f the £^G0ftd year after they
af e planted^

W«BitE it U f ekjtiJrftd w hwt ripe
fhiit fcy tB6 t^M Aif tfi May^ piife
the feibs oft tfecf sotb fif Decern-

bSf^ $Sd a^ly thft'. fyi-h^m at the
fame time.

Wri«*» the- eitew 6f the forcimg-

' houfe

[ 47 1

houTe IB m^ecy &e£, gad ripe fruk
aoc require4 before tlie middle of
Jump, th? »pfb of Jgnuary U the njoft
pFQpef tinae to Ught the ^re pf one dji-
vifion ; and in order )that the crop of
the fecond may come in for gadberlng,
I^e^re thi^ of tl^e ^r(l is over, ^pply
the fire hem to ^, and put on jche f;|ihe^,
the ^oth qf February: And if npa
fr^it arie rpq9ire4 fi) eaf ly 4^ tfe/? l«it
wei* of April, apply Ae fir^Ji^at ^
iftofPecciRb^r.

lif X>ocm^]i§r, Jfopsry, and Fe-

hf^ArYt the w@4ther i? eommoBly
fseh m ft) ocpafipp the gre§ to be kept
Hp nfif. 9nly in tfee pjght but »Jfo

%»»gh tfe^ iifty ; jiJfM»6^ Ae fuiiji

Ihould

[ 48 ]

fliould fliine an hour or two, the fires
need not be put out ; but give a good
deal of air. By continuing the fires,
more air can be admitted than other-
wife could be done.

Trees forced fo early as the firft
of December, and managed as di-
re6led, will have ftrong fruitful wood
for the following year; and their fruit
will be ripe before the end of April :
but they will not be fo large, nor fo
well flavoured, as thofe that ripen two
or three weeks later ; neither is it to be
expected, that the crop will be fo re-
gular, or in fuch plenty. However,
where there is fuch extenfive forcing

of peaches and nedlarines as at More-
dun,

t 49 3

dun, {tht houft being two hundred
and fifty-fix feet in length, and pro*
ducing'a iucceflion of fruit upwards
of five months), it is not improper to
force the firft divifion fo early as the
firft of December,

Those unacquainted with the for-
cing of peaches and nectarines fo early
as the time juft mentioned, are com-
monly of the opinion, that the trees
will only continue a few years, if they
are forced oftener than every other
year. By experience I have reafon to
think, that they will continue as long
as thofe in the natural way, and in
more vigour and health than what

G are

[ so ]

arc to be feen on the beft afpedts and
common walls in Scotland and the
northern parts of England, if they are
managed according to the dirccflions
given.

N. B. The following peaches and
nedlarines are the beft kinds, and
moft efteenied for forcing ; arranged
in the order in which they ripen.

Peaches,

Early Purple,

Montauban,

Royal George,

French Mignon,

Red Magdalene,

Noblefle,

Ram''

[ S' ]

RaihbDuillet, arid
Nivette.

v..

Nectarines*

ElrougCj
Newington, and
Roman.

Where it is.required to have roffes^
carnations, &c. . brought early into
flower, there cannot be a more prol)er
place for them, than the early for-
cing-houfe for peaches, &c. There
are no forced plants more liable to be
infedled with the finall green fly, than
I'ofes ; and the mod proper place for
them^ is over the vacuity between the

G 2 front

[ I* ]

front glafs and 'flue ; where they will
thrive and be free of vermine. .

While the fteaming feafon conti-
nues, there muft be no pots with
plants fet on the flue : only a row
may be placed,' as mentioned, above
the vacuity, the pots (landing on the
€A^^ of the flue and wall.

Iv two or three orange-trees in pots
or boxes, not too large, were placed
on the border near the front flue, they
would thrive finely ; and their iweet^*
fmelUng flowers, which they produce
from the fame year's wood, would
make the foreing-houie very agree-
able. When their fruit are about the

fize

[ Si ]

iize of peafe/ the fmalleft ought to he
cut off^ and only one or two at moft
left on one Ihoot.

By keeping the heads of the trees
thin of wood, and planting them in
a rich| lights frefh compoft^ moftly
made up of earth produced fromleaves
of trees, they will produce good fruit;
but not near the fize they would grow
to if the trcts, were planted in the
border and trained to the trellis ; by
tJiis method they will flourifh amaz-^
ingly, and the fruit grow to a large
fize.

Likewise, if cherry-trees in pots
were placed in this early forcing-

houfe

».\

[ 54 ]

houfe in the firft week of December^
they would be in full flower early in
January ; which would be very beau-
tiful : but they will not bear fruit fo
early.

4.

Wh^re cherries are reqiiited from
the trees in pots, they ought not to
be forced before the firft week of Fe-
bruary, and even at that feafbn the
crop is very uncertain. The trees for
this purpofe fliould be well eftabliflied
in the pots, by being at leaft one
year planted in them. .

When the fteaming feafon is over,
if two or three rows of ftrawberry-
pots are fet along the front- flue, they
^ ^ will

[ 55 J

will fucceed well : if they were placed
on the flue fooner, the flrong fleam
would dqftroy the parts of frudlifica*
tion; but if fet on the border, the
fleam will do the flowers no injury •

The fcarlet or Virginian and Alpine
flrawberries, are the proper kinds for
forcing. The firfl is mofl efteemed
for flavour, but the crop is foon
over; the other produces a great deal
of fruit, but U much Dfiorc liable to
be infecSled with vermine than the
Virginian,

GHAP.

[ 5^ 1

CHAP. IIL

On keeping the Peach and NeSt^ine Trees
. jfree of all InfeSts that they are liable to
be infeSed with.

^TpO return to the time that the

fire-heat is applied, begin to ufe

water in the following manner.

When the weather is fuch as bcca-
fions pretty brifk fires to be kept up,
with the watering-»pan and rofe on it,
fprinkle a few panfuls of water over
the front-flue when it is well warm-
ed,

[ 57 ]

ed, (which a Httle fire will do), and
the houfe is fhut up. Repeat this
five or fix times together ; it will raife
a thick fleam, and wet the trees all
over ; it likewife increafes the heat in
the houfe, and greatly promotes the
rifing of the fap. Let this be done ia
the evening five or fix times in the
week ; and at different times through
the day, when there is no occafion to
admit air, and the flues are fo warm
as to raife the fleam.

When little or no fire is neceffary
in the day, water the trees all over
with the engine in the evening. Soft
or rain water is mofl proper for this
purpofe: in cold frofly weather, it

H ought

1 4

■ [ 58 1

tr otight to be fix or eight hours in a

large tub or ciftern within the for-

cing houfe, before the trees are wa-

,, tcred with it.

, When they are in bloffom, (if the
weather is fo fevere as to occafion the .

fires to be kept up through the day),

fill the houfe with fteam in the way

direded, and raife it fo thick as a

man cannot fee the length of himfelf;

this likewifepromotesthefettlngofthe

fruit. When it is done three times in

the day, the firfl: fhould be as foon as

the flue is warmed in the morning j

the fecond, about two or three in the
afternoon ; and the third immediately

after the heat of the houfe and flues

is ■

[ 59 ]

is examined, and the fires regulated
for the night.

When the trees are in bloflbm, and
not {learned in the way mentioned,
give them a gentle watering all over
with the engine in the evening, two
or three times a- week: this iKould be
like a fine light fhower, that none of
the delicate parts of frudlification may
be hurt.

Soon after the leaves begin to ex-
pand, the aphis or fmall green fly in-
fedls them ; and fome time after, a
worfe enemy to them, called acarus
or redfpider; with fome other fpecies
of infedls.

H 2 To

[ 6o ]

To prevent the breeding of thefe
vermine, continue the {learning work,
and increafe the waterings with the
engine to five or fix times in the
week.

Trees that are much infedled may
likewife be cleaned by the fame me-
thod : but it is much better to pre-
vent the breeding of the infecSls, as
all infedled trees receive a check in a
greater or lefs degree.

I CANNOT aflert that this method
will in like manner prevent the mil-
dew : but I have often obfervcd, that,
in the early forced divifions, where the
fteaming work was longeft continued,

the

[ 6i ]

the trees have never fuffered by it,
more than a few leaves in fome fea-
fons. In the late forced divifions,
fometimes the trees are more afFedled
with it ; but in no greater degree than
the extreme parts of a few flioots,
which I always cut away as foon as
obferved.

N o T w iTHSTANDiNG the great
encomiums bellowed upon tobacco-
fmoke for deftroying the vcrmine on
the peach and nedlarine trees, it does
not; the leaft injury to the red fpider.
It deftroys the aphis, where the fmoke
is ftrong, and confined for a little
time : but it requires to be often re-
peated to keep them at under ; which

makes

I I

L 62 ]

makes the forcing-houfc very dis-
agreeable to get into: but tobacco-
fmoke does neither good nor hurt to
the trees and flowers.

When the fruit are fet in general,
and about the fize of peafe, begin to
fpread the water over the trees ob-
liquely, and with more force, that
they may be moiftened all over. Don't
begin to water always at one end of
the forcing -houfe, as many of the
leaves would not be wet; on that ac-
count change each time, firft one end,
and then the other. This watering
may be performed any time, if the day
is dark : in funfhine, it Is moft pro-
per to do it when the rays fall ob-
liquely

[ 63 ]

liquely on the front of the houfe, or
when the fun is off* it altogether.

■

When the fruit are beginning to
ripen, (which is known by .their
changing colour), the trees fhould
only be watered two or three times
a-week. From the time that the crop
is come in for gathering, till it is over
or thereabout, give them no water in
dull moid weather : if it is the re-
verfe, give them two light waterings
a-week in the evening.

The border, for about two feet
broad below the trees, will be kept
fufficiently moift by the water which
foils from them j the other part of it

fhould

[ H 1

ftxould be kept in a moderately moift
ftate, till the fruit are about ripe and
in gathering, when it ought to be ra-
ther dry than otherwife.

From the fmall quantity of water
thrown on the trees while the fruit
are gathering, and the air of the
houfc being rather dry, it is probable
the red fpiders will make their ap-
pearance before the crop is over : as
foon as they are obferved, water that
part morning and evening with force,
till they are deftroyed; which will be
in a few days, if they are taken in
time.

When the crop is over, or there-
about,

/

t 6^ 1

about, increafe the waterings with
the engine to four or five times a-
week: where the fruit are all oflT,
drive the water on the trees with force.
In wet dark weather, water them only
cmc^ cur tv^ice a-^eek j which tvift be

• - •

as often as ntfeeffary.

■ / •

These waterings muft be conti-^
iauoedttU the wood for next year's crop
is peifefily ripe^

- «. I i ■ ■

.1 1

i CHAP.

[ 66 ]

C H A P. IV.

On a Forcing'boufe nvith the Flues all in
, the Back'-nvall^ and the Management
of late Peaches and Neiiarines.

TTfTHERE there is no flue but the
one in the back'^wall, it fhould
run three times along it; and the
bottom of the firft ought to be ten
inches above the border* This flue
muft be three feet deep; and the
face of it built with bricks of the com-
mon fize, four inches and an half in
breadth. Between the firft and fe-

cond

[ 67 ]

cond flues there mud be about one
foot of iblid building. The fecond
mud be two feet and an half deep,
the bricks for the face of it three
indies and three-fourths in breadth,
and the covering feven inches thick.
The third or uppermoft ihould be
two feet deep, and the bricks for the
face of it three inches broad. If the
flues are built in this manner, one
fire is fufficient for forty-five feet in
length. The forcing- houfe fliould be
fix feet wide ; and the wood-work of
it the fame with the one for early for-
cing : only it will not be fo fuitable
for that purpofe, as if there was a
flue in front ; but every other way
will anfwer equally welL All the

I 2 difference

I <^8 ]

differ^ace ia the maa^g^meac of the
trees in fuch a houii^ at this, if, that
they will require to be oft^aer water-"*
ed with the eogine*while fire is ;con^
tiniied, as the (learn will not arife £0
(Irong from the back as the froat
fluct .

In order to have good late fruit,
put on the faflies when the petals be-
gin to expand ; and when die weather

is tolerably moderate, pull them fb
far down that their low ends may
reft on the walk, and (but them clofe
in the evening. Make no fire if the
weather is not ihyev^: if itis, a^d
xbe mercury fo Ipw .as 40° jiji :lhe
eveuing, m^ke fo much^jftrft .a|:\tp

keep

[ <^9 ]

Jcccp it bttwcen 36 ° and 42 "^ through
the ni|ght* 1

In thofe nights that fire. is nCed^
after the flues are a little warmed,
give the trees a light watering all
over twice a-week, during the time
they arc in flower ; which, in place
of hurting the fiscundating farina of
the antherae^ (a$ giren out by fome
gardeners), promotes the fetting of
the fruit.

When the trees aire out of flower,
jand the leaves expanding, increafe
the waterings with the engine to three
or four itimes a* week, more or lefs
luccording to the weather j as there

fliould

[ 70 ]

fhonld be no fire but in fharp froft,
the watering fhonld not be repeated
fo often as where a brifk fire-heat is
jkept np.

Wh£N the fruit are about the fize
of fmall horfe-beans, lay away the
iafhesy if the fharp firofls are gone :
flight frofl will do no hurt to the
fruit, if they are brought forward in
the hardy manner direded.

This cannot be called forcing, be-
ing only prote<^ing the bloilbms and
fruit in their infant-flate from too
fevere frofl, which*ofcen happens du-
ring the time peach and nedlarine

trees

[ 71 J

trees are in bloom^ and their fruit fet*
ting in the natural way.

After the fafhes are taken off, if
the nights are a little frofty, water
the trees in the forenoon. When the
frofls are gone, water them four or
five times in the week, between four
and fix in the afternoon, if the wea-
ther is dry : if it is the reverfe, half
this watering will ferve.

In hot drying days, watering in the
evening is of great fervice, not only
in preventing the breeding of infedls,
but in promoting the growth of the
trees and fruit; which ihould be
thinned as direded for |:hem when

early

i n 1

ciiriy forced, and the tr« j ' inaiiagiid
in the fame manner^ except widi d)^
difFerences mentioned.

' Jui the laft week of Sej^mbeiTi
(fbonerdr later according te^ the weaM
ther), pfrt' ttn the fafhcaf again, be*
fore Aaffy, frofty, or cold wet aighw
commence. . Iii moderate diy*, fKill
ttem^lbfeiF dowi^, that theit hyv* csflds
may reft on the walk; flint them clofe
in the evening, make a little fire, and
incr^aftj k- a€> the !o«ig cokl mghta ad-

• • * . *

SdMi: may bnagine that it is im^
tttcelffiury to be at fa mucik txpemre,
as late peaches caia be got cowards the

end

f 73 1

lend of September and iii Oc^ober^
from a good afpedl and common
wall : but fuch fruit, although foft,
have feldom any flavour; whereas
thofe managed in the way diredled
vSrill be large^ well flavoured, and al-
ways a good crop*

But, unlefs where the forcing of
thefe fruits is extenfive, it is more
proper to have them ripe in July and
Auguft J in thefe months, they can
be got in the greateft perfeiJlion, and
wich the leafl^ expence.

HowEvfiR, where it is intended to
have them fo late as Odober, the

K follow-

[ 74 1

following forts arc moft proper for
the purpofe, viz.

Peaches.

. Teton de Venus,
Rambouillet or Rambultton^ aH<i

Nivette.

Nectarines^

Newington, and
Red Roman*

As the trees are not fo liable to be*
infedled with vermine in autumn as
in the Ipring and fummer months,
give them no water in dark foft ijiirea-
ther after the middle of September j
If it is the reverfe, give them a light

watering

i 75 ]

watering all over in tbe afternoon,
once in four or five days, till the fruit ■
are come in for gathering, when th6
watering mtift be omitted (if the red
fpiders don't make their appearance)
till the crop is finiihed ; they fliould
then be watered twice in the week,
and a little fire continued till the
wood is ripened, and the leaves near
all dropt: the fire-heat muft then
be given over; and ten or twelve

days after, take off the fioping faflies.

«

At the fame time, prune the trcci
in the manner direded for thofe in
the early fbrcing-lionfc, and dig the
border^

K Z CHAP.

[ 76 1

CHAP- V.

On the ConJiruEtion of Hot-wallsy an4
the Management of the Trees ivitbouf
Glafs^

T N the building of all uncovered
hot-walls intended for peaches,
neftarines, figs^ &c, obferve the fol-^
lowing diredlions, — A wall ten feet
high fliould have one fire to forty-
feet in length, h e. to four hundred
fquare feet. The firft flue ought to
be three ffet deep, aiid the bottom of

[ 77 ]

it ten inches above the border : the
face of this flue ihould be built with
bricks of the common fize, four inches
and an half in breadth. Between the
firft and fecond flue there mufl be
feven inches of folid building. The
fecond flue ought to be two feet and
an half deep, the bricks for the face
of it three inches and three-fourths in
breadth, and the covering five inches
thick. The third or uppermofl fliould
be two feet deep, the bricks for the
face of it three inches broad; with
eight inches of fblid building above
ic. All the bricks for the faces of
thefe flues, although diflfering in
breadth, ought to be the fame in
thicknefs and length.

A

t 78 J

A HOT-WALL, conftrudled accord-
ing to this method, will be regularly
warmed by fmall fires from bottom to
top.

Peach and nedlarine trees, to re-
main for good, fliould be planted
againft thefe walls twenty feet fepa-*
rate, in fuch prepared borders as di-^
re^ed for the forcing-houfe : and in
order to have fruit fbon, oiie tree im
a bearing ftate may be planted be*
tween every two of them. As the
young trees advance upon the bear-*
ing ones, cut off the branches of the
latter from time to time to make
room for them, and at Isiil t^e them
\i|) altogether.

Th«

t 79 1

The mod proper time to apply the
iire^-beat, is when the blollbms begin
to open. If there is a little fun^ and
the weather mild, when the trees are
in bloom, fmall fires in the night will
ferve.

When the weather is the reverfe^
continue fire through the day: but
no more than what is nece^fary to
keep up fuch a warmth, as a com-^
mon fouth-alpeft brick-wall acquires
by the fun fhining foil on it in the
month of April or early in May^
When this is the cafe, give the trees 2i
light watering all over with the en-
gine, three times in the week, before
noon«

t 8o ]

If the weather is mild and moift,
and only weak fires requifite in the
:ilight, delay watering till a few of the
leaves are expanded ; at which time
it muft be fet about, otherwife the
young leaves will be infe6led with
the aphis, and the trees will receive
an early check. This is the firft in- .
ledl that breeds on them ; and of it-
lelf is often the deftrucflion not only'
of the crop, but alfo of the trees.

4

In order to keep free of thefe in-
fedls, with others that would make
their appearance when warm weather
commences, drive the water with
force over the trees, when the fruit
are all fet; before that time, it ought

to

I 8i ]

to be thrown very lightly over them*
Let this be done three or four times ia
the week, even if the nights are cold
and frofty ; as a proper warmth in
the wall will prevent the trees, leaves,
and young fruit, from being hurt
by fuch frofts as generally happen in
March and ApriL

■

Trees nailed to an uncovered hot-
wall, are in more danger of being
hurt by its being over-heated, (which
error an unexperienced gardener is
liable to fall into), than thofe planted
in forcing-houfes, and trained to a
trelUs : however, too ftrong fire-keac
muft be guar4ed againft in regard to
either. In the latter, the thermometers

I^ are

m \

[81 ]

are of fervice in reguUting the hdat:
tilt on the former, they are df no ufe.

The perfon who has the manage-^
mcnt of thefe hot- walls, when fires
are ufed, muft often examine th^ heat
in them ; which at no time ought to
^e fo flrong as he c^npt lay his hand
againft the flues for eight or ten mi-
nutes together, without the Icaft un-
tjafinefs by the heat.

- • J «

r

m

Wh2n the cold nights are gone, the

firjBs ought to be given over; only in

dark weather a little fire will be nc-

cefl^y to continue a warmth in the
wall.

In

t B3 ]

In dry funjihinc .wjather, tht trcds
ought to he watered! fisre or Gx times
a-'Week in the evening, .which will
kcepi^da^m perfe<£tiy: ilrcc. from in-

:^T The thinning pf the fruit and the
drefling of the trees ought to be per-*

formed in the manner diredled fof

«

the early forced ones.

When the fruit begin to ripcn,»
give over watering. If there ihould
be frofty nights^ or dark moift wea-
ther^ when the fruit are ripening
and in gathering, continue a moderate
warmth in the wall, which will be of
fervice to the flavour of the fruit.

L 2 The

[ 84 1

• The fire-heat mtift not be giveil
over altogether before the trees 'arc
done growing, and the leaves, near
about alldropt: at which time the
wood will be properly prepared for
next year's crop. It muft be obferved,
that in dry weather, after the fruit ire
all gathered, the trees ought to be
watered twice a- week.

When the leaves are about all
dropt, the trees Ihould hatve their Au-
tumn dreffing, as direded for the
early forced ones, by thinning them^
if there is too much wood, , and nail-
ing the bed fhoots to the wall from
fix to eight inches feparate*

t 8^ 1

; Th£ extent of the hot-wall that t
have recommended, viz, four* h\m^
dred fquare feet, is as much as ought
to be allowed to one fire, if the bottom
of the border is of a cold. clayey nar
ture, and the fituation unfavourable s
but in warm . fituations, \^d where
the bottom is fandor graVel; one fire
will ferve five hundred Tquare. feet;
if the flues are built in the manner,
and with . fuch bricks as directed in
the beginning of this chapter. Where
a wall exceeds ten feet in height, /. e^
from ten to fourteen, there fhpuld be
four flues in the height. .

There are but few places in Britain
where the following fine late pears

come

t S6-i

itdiike to perfe^loii in tlie iiatoral wayj
iriz. Creflaiie;^ CQlcinar^ and winter
Ban Chretien ; thii h& girows to a
kt^^ fize, - andj ii^ allowed' to be a re-*
inarkable -fine ^ pekr, ' Thefe three
icinds are dderving of ^ iiot^wall, on
which th^y . wHl ripen ^^Ay iii Sep-
tember^ by keeping up fuchk wd^rmth
ija it as dirp<£led for the peidhes. Tb«
j^e heat Ihould be appUed when th^
bloflbms are near expanded ^

.1 SAVE feldoto known thefe trees to
be infected wich,!^crmine: neVerthe^
lefs, after the iriiit are formed, water
them all over with the engine twice
a- week in xiry weather, which will
grwtly promote the growth of the
c trees

[ 87 1

frees ^nd fruit. Siifier no mori
flioots to be producicd, than what ap*
pear neceflary to lay to the wall j and
^hele ihoot:3 ought to be ^ight or nine
inches feparate.

Where figs are planted againft a
' hot-wall, the fhoots Ihould be ten ot
televcn inches feparate, their leaves be*
ing very large.

It is natural for the fig-tree to
produce two crops in one year j the
firft from the laft year's wood, and
the fecond from the fame fummer'3
fhoots: the fecond never ripens in
Britain in the natural way, and in
many places the firft dqcs not ; but

I *

[ 88 ]

in a forcing-houfe, both crops will
ripen.

All walls intended for peaches,
nedlarines, figs, and the fine lat«
pears, ought to be flued ; otherwife
the crops will be very uncertain.
Such of thefe fruits as ripen on
common walls in mod places, are of
little or no value ; owing to the want
of fun, long nights, and raw frofts ;'
by which they are prevented from
acquiring that agreeable tafte and
flavour, which they would be poffefFed
of were they ripened by the methods
mentioned,

CERTAIN it is, that a few of the

earlicft

t 89 ]

earlieft forts of peaches ripen and are
good on common walls, in favourable
iituations and fine feafons : yet, even
in the moft fuitable places, the crop is
uncertain ; if there is a middling
crop one year, moft likely there will
be next to notie for a year of two to
come.

M CHAi^^

\

[ 90 ]

CHAP. VI.

On forcing PeacbtSj NcSlarlnes^ ^c.
without Flues in the Back^ and keep-
ifig thofe on common Walls free of
Infedls.

l)j^HERE there is a good brick
or ftoneAvall about eleven or
twelve feet in height, and fumifhed
with fuch forts of peach and necta-
rine trees as are recommended in
Chap. II. a forcing-houfe may be
ereded upon it, without difturbing

the

^

L 91 -3

the trees, by conducing the flues in
the following manner. — ^If the fruit
are not required before the middle of
June, two fires will be fuflBcient for
an hundred feet in length. The fur-
naces fhould be placed behind the
middle of the back-wall ; and the
flues ought to run along the furface
of the border, in the manner diredled
Chap. I. and to return in the fame
way, the fecond being clofe by the
fide of the firfl:, making a double
flvie : both the firft and fecond fhould
be eleven inches deep, the firfl eight
inches wide, and the returning one
feven. They ought to be feparatcd
by bricks laid in bed, and bricks on
edge will be fufficient for the other

M 2 fide

»■.

[ 9^ ]

fide of the returning flue : the two
vents for the fmoke fliould be in one
building, behind the middle of the
back- wall, between the two furnaces.
Thefe flues fliould be built on arches
fupported by fmall pillars, the tops of
which arches fliould be no higher
than the furface of the border*

The wood- work of this forcing-
houfe, (which ought not to exceed
feven feet in breadth), fliould be the
fame with the one mentioned Chap, I.
qnly there will be no occafion for a
trellis, as there are no flues in the
back-wall.

The twQ divifions may be forced

alt^r-

E 93 ]

alternately ; for which piirpofe faflics
will only be needed for one half of
the length, which muft fit both divi-
fions.

The forcing flhould be managed in
the following manner. — In the firft
week of January, put the faflies on
one divifion, and light the fire at the
fame time : the degree of heat, and
the giving of air, ought to be the
fame with what is diredled in Chap. II.

When the weather Jl fuch, that
•pretty brifk fires are neceflary, raife
^ thick fleam in the houfe, twice or
thrice in the twenty-four hours, and
let it be the laft work that is done in

the

[ 94 ]

the night : but the trees muft not be
watered with the engine in the days
that it is performed, as they are not
fb liable to be infeded with the red
ipider where there are no flues ifi the
back-wall.

■

When this fteaming work cannot
be performed, water the trees all over
with the engine, as diredled for the
other forcing-houles,

TitE crop will be over early in
Auguft, ancf foon after the wood for
next year will be ripened : at which
time the faflies muft be taken away,
and placed on the other divifion.

If

>¥•

[ 95 1

Ip the weather is dark, apply the
fire-heat; but raife no fleam when
the fruit arc ripe and in gathering.

The fire muft not be given over till
the trees have finiihed their growth,
and the leaves moftly all dropt; which
(as has been mentioned) ought to be
aiTifted by fweeping oflF, with a foft
broom, fuch as part eafily from the
wood. Likewife there jQiould be
wooden walks in all the forcings
houfcs, with mofs below the trees
when the fruit are ripening.

The trees in the divifion that was
£>rced the preceding year, will natu-
rally come fooncr into flower than if

they

[ 96 ]

they had not been forced ; and by
their wood being properly ripened,
their bloflbms will be ftrong, and not
fo liable to fuflfer by bad weather
as flowers produced from unforced
trees. However, if the weather hap-
pens to be fevere when they are in
bloom, they can cafily be proteAed
by ftretching bafs-mats along the
rafters.

*

Peach and nedlarine trees on com*-
mon walls, in mod places, fuffer by
the ^his immediately after the leaves
appear ; and at that feafon there are
often Iharp frofts in the night ;^ on
account of which the trees cannot be
fo freely watered as to prevent the

breeding

..[ 97 ]

breeding of infedls : when this is the
cafe, water them with the engine
early in the forenoon ; if in funlhine,
fo much the better- They muft not
be watered when in flower ; but when
the frofts are^gone, water them three
or four times a- week in the afternoon
with force.

ft

Lay only a few more young fhoots
to the wall than what appear necef-
ikry for the following year j only
^uch a^ are produced at the fruit,
ihould remain till they have got fix
or fcYcn leaves, when they ought to
be ftopt by taking off a little of their
tops : when the .trees are pruned in
xht autumn, thefe (as well as thofe

N in

C 98 ]

in the forcing-houfes) ihould be all
cut off.

If the ihoots of peach and ne^a-
rine trees on common walls were kept
ib thin as to be about eight or nine
inches feparate, the walls would ac-
quire a greater degree of heat by the
fun, and the wood and fruit would have
better chance to ripen, than where
there is fb much of the young wood
laid to the wall in the fununer dref^
fing as only to be three or four inches
feparate*

CHAP.

£ 99 J

]

CHAP. VIJ;

On Vines^

inntHAT vines are planted in the
early peach forcing -houfc.
Ought to be of the fmall kinds which
ripen fooneft. If the bottom of the
border is of a cold clayey nature,
(that being very unfavourable for
grapes), they muft be planted againft
the trellis on the back-wall, run up
with fingle fhoots to the rafters, and
be trained down them. They ought
> N 2 not

r')

[ lOO ]

not to be on all the rafters, only on
every other one at mod.

Suffer na fruit to be produced^
but from the fhoots on the rafters,
and not above two ihoots from one
vine, otherwifc the peach and nec-
tarine trees would be too much
ihaded^

While the air of the houic is kept
moift^ by often (learning and water-*
ing in favour of the peach and nedla*^
rine trees, the red fpider will be pre-
vexited from breeding on the yine-
leaves, and the growth of the grapes
will be encouraged. Before they arc
near ripe, the {learning feafon will be

over

[ lOI ]

over, and the vines being on the raf-
ters and near the glais and air, the
trees on the trellis can be* viratcred
without hurting the. grapes*

With regard to the raifing of the
vines, planting, pruning, &c. fo much
has been publiihed by others of late
years on that fubjedl, that I think it
unneceflary to give any further direc-
tions than for keeping them free of
infeds, at leaft till the fruit are full
grown and beginning to ripen. For
which purpofe, the flues in a grape-
Hove ifaould be built in the manner di-
reded Chap* VL Two of thefe double
flues ought to run from end to end
of the houfe j the firft three feet froni

the

[ I02 ]

t&e froiit, and the fecond about one
foot from the back-wall. If this
grape-ftove is fifty feet in length,
twelve feet high in the back^ and
twelve feet wide j it muft have two
furnaces.

It is not advifeable to water the
vines with the engine when in flower
and fruit : but by fteaming them as
direAfid for peaches and nedlarines
in tlie early forcing- houfe, they will
thrive finely j and as the grapes re-
quire a ftronger fire- heat than any
other fruits, the {learning can be
better performed. It ought to be
begun when the fire-heat is applied,
and continued five or fix times in the

week

r 103 ]

week, till the fruit are full-grown
and beginning to ripen ; when it mufl:
be omitted, and the grape-houfe
kept dry : when it is not fliut up
with a ftrong fun-heat, make a little
fire* A brilk fire-heat hurts the*
flavour of peaches and nedarines
when ripening and ripe; but pro-
motes that of grapes, if plenty of
air is admitted in the day.

FINIS.

I

_• 1

>-lS^,